CNC Turning Service
Get instant quote for rapid prototypes and production parts with Unionfab’s Online CNC Turning Service. We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485 and AS9100D certified.
Start A New CNC Quote
STEP｜STP｜IGS｜DWG｜DXF｜PDF Files
All uploads are secure and confidential
CNC Turning Service Overview
At Unionfab, we employ an extensive collection of over 50 CNC lathes and CNC turning centers to produce meticulously accurate round or cylindrical turned parts that consistently exceed customer expectations. Whether it’s for rapid prototyping or low-to-high volume production, Unionfab offers instant pricing, on-demand lead times, and design-for-manufacturability feedback for your metal and plastic CNC turning parts. Get your instant quote today!
Unionfab CNC Materials
| Material | Available Varieties |
|---|---|
Aluminum | Aluminum 5052, |
Brass/Bronze | Brass C360, |
Copper | EPT Copper C110, |
Plastics | ABS, |
Steel | Alloy Steel 4130, |
Titanium | Titanium Grade 2, |
Zinc | Zinc Sheet Alloy 500 |
Applications of CNC Turning
Rapid Tooling
One of the significant advantages of CNC machining for rapid tooling, such as fixtures or molds, is its compatibility with almost any material.
Rapid Prototyping
The extensive selection of available materials, coupled with low CNC machining costs per unit and rapid production speeds, positions CNC as an exceptional choice for rapid prototyping.
Serial Production
With high-quality surface treatments, a diverse array of materials, and precise tolerances, CNC Turning emerges as a highly advantageous technique for producing serial parts.
CNC General Tolearances
| Description | General Tolerance |
|---|---|
Distance Dimensions | For features of size (Length, width, height, diameter) and location (position, concentricity, symmetry) +/- 0.005”. |
Orientation and Form Dimensions | 0-12" +/- 0.005", Angularity 1/2 degree. |
Edge Condition | Sharp edges are broken and deburred by default. You can specify critical edges that must be left sharp on a print. |
Overview: What is CNC turning?
CNC lathe machines, also known as live tooling lathes, are utilized to create various geometries, such as cylindrical shapes, tapers, contours, threads, and even complex profiles, with the aid of advanced CNC programming. As the lathe spins the workpiece on a vertical or horizontal axis, the cutting tool moves along its linear path, removing material and shaping it into the desired form. The process of shaping a workpiece on a CNC lathe is commonly referred to as turning.
This subtractive method employed by CNC lathes enables precise and accurate shaping of the workpiece. After generating the G-Code, a piece of unprocessed stock material is placed in the lathe’s spindle chuck. The spindle spins while the chuck securely holds the workpiece in place. When the cutting tool makes contact with the rotating workpiece, it gradually removes layers of material. The process continues until the desired shape is achieved.
A live tooling lathe offers a broad range of operations, including facing, threading, knurling, drilling, boring, reaming, and taper turning. The need for tool changes in different operations can increase both cost and setup time.
Upon completing all machining operations, the part is separated from the stock for further post-processing. Subsequently, the CNC lathe is ready to perform the task again without significant setup time in between.
Among various types of lathes, the 2-axis CNC lathes and Swiss-type lathes are the most prevalent. The distinguishing feature of Swiss-type lathes lies in their mechanism for feeding stock material through a guide bushing, enabling the tool to make cuts much closer to the support point. This characteristic makes them highly suitable for producing elongated and delicate CNC lathe parts, as well as for undertaking precision micromachining tasks. Some Swiss-type lathes incorporate an additional tool head functioning as a CNC mill, providing the capability to execute various machining tasks without relocating the workpiece to another machine. For complex turned parts, CNC lathe services offer exceptional cost-effectiveness through the use of Swiss-type lathes.
Similar to CNC mills, CNC lathes offer easy setup options that ensure superior repeatability, making them suitable for diverse needs, including rapid prototyping as well as low and high-volume production.
The ability of multi-axis CNC turning centers and Swiss-type lathes to perform multiple machining operations in a single setup further enhances their efficiency. This eliminates the need for transferring workpieces between different machines or performing time-consuming tool changes, making them a cost-effective option for complex geometries.
